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IBM Cloud Pak for Automation vs Nintex Process Platform comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

IBM Cloud Pak for Automation
Ranking in Process Automation
21st
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.8
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Nintex Process Platform
Ranking in Process Automation
9th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
24
Ranking in other categories
Business Process Management (BPM) (10th), Workload Automation (11th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Process Automation category, the mindshare of IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is 0.4%, down from 0.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Nintex Process Platform is 2.0%, down from 3.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Process Automation
 

Featured Reviews

SYEDMUJTABA - PeerSpot reviewer
Effectively handles parallel instances effectively
I find it quite straightforward, perhaps around 8.5 out of 10 in terms of ease. When we upgraded from the old version of IBM BPM to the new one within IBM Cloud Pak for Automation, we didn't encounter any major issues. There were some minor ones, but they were easy to overcome.The migration process was part of our deployment strategy. We had a plan to migrate two processes per week from on-premises to the cloud. The migration involved taking the instances and migrating them to the new environment. There is an inbuilt feature in IBM Cloud Pak for Automation that facilitates the migration process, although I personally haven't conducted it myself; it's managed by my team. Overall, the setup process was relatively smooth.
Damilola Adeleye - PeerSpot reviewer
Straightforward interface and user-friendly
There are a lot of apps in K2, but what I really found that needs improvement is the management section of K2, especially the management server and the admin page where you can manage processes, add users, set security fees, and add licenses. The reason for this is because the part that is the section of administration, particularly the management called rows, has multiple rules, as many as you want. For instance, you may have around 200 rules, and when you view them, only the first ten are displayed, and you have to click next to see the next ten and so on until you get to the hundredth rule. On that page, as of today, we only have what we call to fetch, where you can search for a particular rule you're looking for, or else you have to keep clicking until you get to the final page you want. So that's a bit challenging.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"I believe two significant features of IBM Cloud Pak for Automation are the focus on SLA management and the capability to handle parallel instances effectively. Parallel instances, for instance, are valuable when dealing with a large number of users, enabling tasks to be performed concurrently for efficient system operation. The SLA aspect is crucial for tracking and ensuring timely completion of tasks. Additionally, the cloud compatibility of IBM BAW allows for seamless migration from on-premises to the cloud. This version also includes a business rule management system for storing and managing business rules effectively."
"What this product allows us to do is to move from on-prem instances where we are running independent instances of FileNet, Datacap, and ODM. It allows us to leverage container-based resiliency and availability modeling so that we have some visibility across the CP4BA ecosystem. We're now migrating all of our data to be in the Cloud Object Storage, and we can now use some of the features of Azure in terms of how we store and retrieve content for our members and our providers."
"The setup is easy."
"This tool set makes it easy to integrate current processes and increase adoption rates and usage for the tool, as well as the process changes to update it on the fly."
"It is very easy to create and deploy. I am very happy with how user-friendly Nintex Workflow is."
"The solution helped us automate several processes we used to do manually."
"The workflow engine of K2 is its main strength. Its workflow engine is probably one of the best, and that's the reason why Nintex bought K2. It can clearly handle any complex process or scenario. K2 is almost low-code. It is a no-code or low-code solution. You don't have to read a whole lot of code. It is pretty much GUI based. Their support is also excellent. The biggest advantage of K2 is SmartObjects, which allow you to separate the data from the application. It is a standalone application that allows you to build a data source from different places, which a lot of other applications also do. It is called SmartObjects technology, which is pretty powerful. If I have data from different applications, such as JD and ServiceNow, I can just create a SmartObject based on a data source and use it. I have some forms that have six, seven, or eight applications in a single form with data from different places."
"The strength of this solution lies in its connectors and the accessibility of an open API. The presence of an open API allows users to create custom connectors if necessary, provided there is access to the source API documentation. Additionally, the platform features a straightforward yet highly effective forms tool. This tool not only seamlessly integrates with the workflow functionality but also facilitates the transmission of information to the document generation tool. This comprehensive integration is particularly noteworthy when compared to alternatives such as Oracle, which tends to rely on more complex and separate logic for similar functionalities. A key strength of Nintex lies in its user-centric approach to help documentation. The materials are designed to be easily understood, avoiding complex terminology. In cases where technical terms are used, they are linked to articles for further clarification. This contrasts with platforms like Microsoft and Oracle, which may employ technical jargon without clear explanations. Nintex further supports its users through a robust online community, fostering collaboration and shared insights. Additionally, Nintex University offers online training across all applications, following a role-based structure. Unlike some other platforms, Nintex's training is thoughtfully broken down into shorter courses, focused on specific roles. This approach ensures that users can efficiently access the information they need without navigating through extensive and potentially irrelevant content, as may be the case with Oracle's training structure."
"With an extensive list of integrations with LOB data, your workflows can extend far beyond SharePoint, driving adoption of SharePoint."
"The most valuable features of this solution are that it's no code, it's very flexible, and it's easy to design."
 

Cons

"I believe there is room for improvement in the user interface, particularly in the Process Portal that customers use to view and manage their tasks. The UI of the Process Portal needs enhancement. Additionally, in the next release, I would like to see improved compatibility with Angular, allowing for direct integration with front-end systems. It would be beneficial to have built-in GUI features based on Angular within the system, rather than developing separate applications externally. This, in turn, would provide a more seamless and enhanced front-end experience."
"One of the challenges we're having is finding vendors who have experience in developing on the cloud. We can find developers on the old platform, but it is leading-edge technology. So, we are having some challenges, and IBM is assisting us to find vendor partners. To be able to leverage all the capabilities of the new platform, we have to upgrade our existing ecosystem of FileNet applications. Upgrading to the new platform while trying to modernize is always challenging because it is like you have a moving target."
"Converting a document from PDF to MS Word, or vice versa, needs to be improved."
"We would like to design parallel workflows and long-running workflows, along with new features for connecting to cloud-based systems."
"Nintex is still at the starting point of integrating with AI. It has integrated with a very small piece of artificial intelligence., like only integrated with the Google Cloud. There is a benefit, like a no-code and low-code solution. But, again, if you are a developer, especially if you are a hardcore developer, you are using your code knowledge, its skills, and all. And, suddenly, you are moving into the low-code solution, and then you will feel, like, so many things you can't achieve with the low-code solution."
"Heavy, cumbersome and inflexible."
"The solution is a bit too expensive. It could be cheaper."
"While Nintex Workflow has pretty robust troubleshooting abilities, I think that improving the default logging and notifications would be helpful."
"Currently, a notable challenge lies in the alignment of user experiences across the eight or nine applications within the suite. Transitioning between applications can be somewhat cumbersome due to varying user interfaces. However, the provider is actively addressing this concern by consistently rolling out updates every four to five months, aimed at harmonizing and streamlining the interfaces. This ongoing effort is expected to enhance the user experience over time. In terms of functionality and features, the platform stands out, offering flexibility with the option for both on-premises and cloud deployment. This flexibility extends to the RPA tool, providing clients with choices tailored to their preferences. An advantage lies in the shared security and data infrastructure across the toolset, facilitating smooth data transfer between applications. This contrasts with experiences with Oracle, where data transfer may involve complexities such as the need for intermediary file formats like TXL or SCZ."
"There have been some glitches, and the workflow fails frequently."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is relatively expensive, especially considering it is designed for long-living processes, not for normal automation needs. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the pricing at around 9. There are no additional costs beyond the standard licensing fees, but IBM has multiple pricing models that make it expensive in its own way. Different plans are available, but overall, the experience suggests it is a costly solution."
"Its cost is almost the same or comparable to what we pay with FileNet, but I'm not sure what we pay a year. A good part of CP4BA is the CPU-based licensing model. When we're dealing with 50,000 dentists, for example, if we were to use Salesforce, we would be hit with the licensing of 50,000 dentists, whereas when we build out in CP4BA, it is just based on our CPU usage, not on individual licenses."
"The product’s price is competitive compared to other vendors."
"Prices for licenses of K2 are high."
"The enterprise version has some additional features that I would like to use, but the price is not fair."
"We pay on a yearly basis. It's my understanding that we pay approximately $11,000/year."
"Comparatively, it's expensive."
"Nintex Workflow is more expensive than Microsoft's native products, but it is still considered moderately priced when compared to higher-end products such as K2."
"The price of this solution is affordable but the problem in Algeria is our community is a bit slower. The new clients might feel the solution is a bit expensive."
"This solution is affordable and is cheaper than most alternatives on the market. We have a standard cloud license that costs about 20k per year."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Computer Software Company
19%
Financial Services Firm
18%
Government
7%
Manufacturing Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM Cloud Pak for Automation?
I believe two significant features of IBM Cloud Pak for Automation are the focus on SLA management and the capability to handle parallel instances effectively. Parallel instances, for instance, ar...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Cloud Pak for Automation?
IBM Cloud Pak for Automation is relatively expensive, especially considering it is designed for long-living processes, not for normal automation needs. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the pr...
What needs improvement with IBM Cloud Pak for Automation?
I believe there is room for improvement in the user interface, particularly in the Process Portal that customers use to view and manage their tasks. The UI of the Process Portal needs enhancement. ...
What do you like most about K2?
The latest version of Nintex has many features. We have a clear roadmap and the necessary application to integrate it into our platform.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for K2?
Nintex Process Platform is expensive. Prices relate to both features and the professional services necessary due to our lack of an implementation team.
What needs improvement with K2?
The user interface in Nintex needs improvement. It is not very intuitive and requires changes. Additionally, the deployment process should be easier.
 

Also Known As

No data available
K2 blackpearl, K2 Five, Nintex Workflow
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
SEA Corp, Omnicom Group, Verizon, STIHL
Find out what your peers are saying about IBM Cloud Pak for Automation vs. Nintex Process Platform and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
850,028 professionals have used our research since 2012.